Sweat the Electrolytes

Electrolytes are the ions in the salts that your body loses when you sweat: sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. When these minerals get too low, your fluid transfer system doesn’t work as well and you may experience ineffective cooling, swelling of the hands, and other problems, most runners have no problem replacing these in a normal diet. But if you’re experiencing cramping during or after exercise, regularly, you may be low in sodium or potassium. The best product I’ve found for replacing these minerals is called SUCCEED. If you have high blood pressure (or any issue with electrolytes), get your doctor’s guidance before taking any salt supplement.

When you are sweating a lot, it is a good idea to drink several glasses a day of a good electrolyte beverage. Accelerade, by Pacific Health Labs, is the best I’ve seen for both maintaining fluid levels and electrolyte levels.